KARL LAGERFELD is pleased to announce the return of the Karl Ikonik collection for Spring-Summer 2018. This season the world’s most famous feline, Choupette, makes an appearance alongside playful graphics of Karl Lagerfeld in his signature attire: sunglasses, fingerless gloves and a tuxedo blazer. The Karl Ikonik collection will be available from December 2, 2017, at KARL LAGERFELD stores, online at KARL.COM, and through select wholesale partners.

This season’s offering features t-shirts, sweatshirts and a wide range of bags including totes, shoppers, cross-bodies, weekenders, minaudieres and a trolley suitcase. Additional collectibles include a baseball cap, notebook, laptop sleeve, beach towel, travel accessories and more. Designs are grounded in palette of black and white, with pops of metallic silver glitter: they bring a youthful twist to Karl Lagerfeld’s image as a fashion rock star.

When Jacob & Co. brand-new version of the crowd-pleasing Astronomia mega-watch called the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky Celestial Panorama Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon, it was viewed as a feat of watchmaking, design and engineering, taking the celestial display integral to seafarers, astronomers and ancient horologers and placing it on our wrist.

Never before seen in watchmaking, the Astronomia Sky introduces a three-dimensional sidereal display and even though it adds a few complications, it actually has a smaller case size. Down from the 50mm-wide size of the standard Astronomia, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky is “just” 47mm wide and 25mm thick.

The initial version of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky Celestial Panorama Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon comes in a 18k rose gold case with a large domed sapphire crystal on top and a middle sapphire crystal ring around the side of the case.

It makes viewing the interior of the watch and the movement very simple and striking. Naturally there is a pen to go with it and they go with the Astronomia collection watches overall, produced in collaboration with Jacob & Co. by Italian manufacturer, Visconti.

The entire point of the Astronomia was to offer a “four armed” movement which had a dial for the time (that spins to remain upright as the entire movement structure rotates on its axis), tourbillon (that technically moves on two axis points), a spinning seconds indicator, and a spinning orb opposite the seconds indicator. The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky more or less retains this functionality but with additional astronomical complications.

Around the edge of the dial on the side of the case, there is a month indicator that uses a small hand, which follows along the 12-month scale, which goes entirely around the face. And at the center of the four-armed movement structure, there is a small orb designed to look like the earth.

There is of course the 24-hour rotating of the day/night indicator as well as the fact that the earth spins around each 20 minutes, since that is the rotation time of the four-armed movement. The small “globe” is produced from titanium and then hand-lacquered and engraved.

The watch also features a celestial star map with a series of zodiac indicators. This face is produced from blued titanium and has an oval “sky indicator” hand. The entire watch face makes a full rotation once annually. The oval sky indicator hand rotates to show the stars visible from the northern hemisphere.

The movement inside is exclusive to Jacob & Co and made of 395 parts. It operates at 3Hz (21,600bph) with a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement is marvelous to look at with its complexity and focuses on being visually entertaining to view in operation.

Like most of the watches produced by the brand, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky is part of a limited edition of just 18 pieces. Hence it is ideal for watch collectors or watch connoisseurs in positions of power.

Rasasi, one of the region’s leading fragrance houses, has recently launched an exciting and innovative unisex line of perfumes – Sotoor. Boasting four evocative variants – Seen, Taa, Waaw and Raa – together forming the word Sotoor that translates to a line of Arabic writing and inspired by simplicity.

The contemporary Sotoor range comes in the chicest bottles with a variety of fragrances for all occasions.The line includes floral, spicy, fruity and Arabic traditional fragrances to cater to everyone’s taste, whether male or female, of any age. Below are images of the Sotoor perfumes which cost AED 150 each.

Its that time of the year when we go shopping with our mums for back to school promotions all over town. It will be winter season soon and I personally can’t wait for the cooler temperatures. Winter 2017 is all about lightness and comfort with Geox.

Hence Geox have created a kids’ collection rich with details combined with the patented technology of breathable soles. There is a shoe for every occasion: playtime, back-to-school or party time. Taking care of children’s feet is on the top of our list and making sure that their feet are snug and dry inside contributes to healthy development whatever their age.

The shoes in the Geox junior collection are all characterised by a chrome-free, anti-allergy non-toxic, removable, breathable, flexible, anti-bacterial and anti-static inner sole with memory effect.

The super light soles with cushioning effect are characterised by their lightness, flexibility, grip and durability. The special Geox patented micro-porous membrane does not allow water in. This is found inside the sole of every Geox model, creating the perfect micro-climate for feet inside the shoe.

JR Kalispera “ METAL DOTS”

These sneakers are great for trendy girls. They are available both in high-top and low-top versions, in reversed leather and suede with irregular polka dots and printed laminates with special colour block effect on the upper and foxing included.

JR Fantasy “SUPERHEROIN”

Designed for super heroines that want a touch of magic. These sneakers are available both in high-top and low-top versions in leather with details in patent leather and glitter. The real magic, however, comes in the form of applied stars and little wings that no little girl can resist.

The interchangeable inner sole has a cushioning effect for maximum comfort. Breathability and high performance levels are the name of the game. Sturdiness, grip and flexibility come before everything else.

JR Thymar “METAL GOLD & CAMOUFLAGE GLITTER”

These sneakers are made from camouflage pattern python print leather, total black leather or metallic effect gold with contrasting heel and sole in ultralight EVA for maximum comfort. These sneakers are designed for girls that follow seasonal trends.

JR Alonisso “SPORTCASUAL”

These high-top sneakers feature a blend of leather and reversed leather with a glossy printed strip and contrasting colours from the upper to the foxing. These sneakers are designed for sporty boys that like a touch of glam.

Designed for kids that want to be noticed, these sneakers are available both in high-top and low-top versions. They are made from mesh combined with technical fabric and printed textures with a glossy effect and a big star applied in relief.

The LEDs in the soles light up with each step to make running and playing even more fun!

JR Kommodor “LED LIGHT” – boy&girl

Designed for older kids that don’t want to go unnoticed, these leather sneakers feature a sole with contrasting LED lights. The colour and frequency of the lights can be modulated using a simple button concealed under the tongue. A USB socket is also provided for recharging, so you never get left in the dark.

The Geox patent applied to the Baby range ensures the most advanced technologies support the growth of little feet and provide maximum well-being and comfort. All shoes also feature easy entry, ergonomic forms and removable insoles in chrome-free leather.

Baby casual “SNAKE”

For the first steps of little girls, these sneakers in glitter mesh, reversed leather and python print metal follow all the latest trends.

Baby retrò “CASUAL”

For baby boys, lace-up or Velcro in reversed leather with a brushed “used” effect. Blues combined with browns and yellows are right on trend.

“Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality”. More than just a motto, this is a philosophy embedded in the DNA of Baume & Mercier since 1830. Profoundly attached to the Swiss Made label, the Maison produces all its watches in the Swiss Jura and adopts a deliberate historical approach – known as “établissage” – that has shaped its success. In contemporary language, this term refers to in-house mastery of the key stages of watch development, assembly, quality control and maintenance, and calls upon the finest watch specialists to produce its components. A pledge of quality, reliability and performance – and all at the fairest price. Close-up and personal with Baume & Mercier.

As one of the oldest Swiss watch Maisons, Baume & Mercier has been shining in the watch industry firmament for almost two centuries. Such longevity commands respect and the inevitable question comes to mind: what is the recipe behind this success? The key ingredient is undoubtedly expertise, continuously distilled with authentic passion. This perpetually enriched heritage features two other essential elements: rigorous discipline and carefully controlled movements. All enhanced with a timeless flavor.

B for Baume

The story begins in the mid-19th century in the Swiss Jura, with the creation of a family firm that developed rapidly. The two siblings Louis-Victor and Joseph-Célestin found themselves at the head of “Baume Frères” and set up a subsidiary company in London, before extending their watchmaking reach to encompass the entire British Empire. Their combined assets – notably commercial flair and rigorous industrial standards – helped spread the brand’s reputation across borders. Known for its classical watches, chronographs and grand complication models, it won a number of international prizes, particularly for the precision of its models. In the early 1920s, William Baume, representing the third generation of the watchmaking dynasty, associated with Paul Mercier in founding “Baume & Mercier” in Geneva, where the brand has its current headquarters. In this temple of luxury watchmaking, the Maison became one of the most active firms in the realm of wristwatches. Expressed through a blend of horological mastery and timeless elegance, the founders’ vision has lived on through a dedication to making high-quality watches incorporating the latest technological advances.

Epitomizing the very best

In almost 200 years, the watchword of the Baumes brothers has been scrupulously upheld and applied. One might almost imagine it echoing through the corridors of the Maison. This imperative demand for quality, matched by the fairest possible cost, is based on an historical artisan-style production method: établissage. The term carries echoes of the past, just as it should do! In the 19th century when the Baume family opened a watch dealership in the Swiss Jura, its watches were assembled from components made by specialized artisans, each dedicated to a specific part of the watch. Based on the établissage mode of operation, the Maison Baume handled the making of the finished product, and its subsequent sale. Much later, at the dawn of the 21st century, Baume & Mercier returned to its roots and set up its Ateliers Horlogers in Les Brenets, a village of its native Jura. Adopting a meticulously careful approach based on manual craftsmanship, the Maison thus revived the “Frères Baume” approach while incorporating all the assets of modern times. The “établissage 2.0” concept at Baume & Mercier – an original artisanal method applied to the modern era – is notably designed by in-house control of each stage involved in creating a watch: design, development, assembly and quality control. It also implies drawing on the know-how of the finest specialists when it comes to component production. The core of this organizational mode consists in scrupulous attention devoted to every detail, along with the patience and dexterity of passionately dedicated watchmakers with a sure, deft touch.

Swiss made, for ever and ever

Ever since its origins, Baume & Mercier has made its watches in Switzerland. In the course of its history, the quality, innovation and precision of its creations have earned it numerous distinctions, of which some have been patented. These stringent standards were rewarded in the 1920s by the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark, the highest certification of watchmaking craftsmanship. The demand for quality, a full-fledged corporate philosophy at Baume & Mercier, has been a constant characteristic right from the beginning. A fervent ambassador of the ‘Swiss made’ label, the Maison designs and develops its movements in its own design studio inside its Geneva headquarters. All of them are subsequently assembled and tested in its Ateliers Horlogers in Les Brenets, in the Swiss Jura. These light-filled, perfectly equipped workshops also handle after-sales service and restoration of vintage models.

A perfectly balanced identity

In the 1960s, Baume & Mercier adopted the Greek letter “Phi” as its visual identity. Now the brand logo, this “golden number” symbolizes finely balanced proportions. It lays the foundations of the archetypal aesthetic – the traditional round watch – as well as the ‘affordable luxury’ status of Baume & Mercier. Through its collections, the Maison offers both classically understated watches as well as chronographs with various useful functions. Women’s models enjoy a special place within this sphere of quality watchmaking at an affordable price. This close attention to their needs and wishes goes back a long way: in 1869, one of the Baume brothers gave his daughter a gold pocket watch; and between 1920 and 1940, the brand offered a number of modern and inventive feminine models, some of which are now legends. Today, two lines are exclusively dedicated to them: Promesse and Linea.

C for classic, and more besides…

Firmly rooted in the Baume & Mercier values, a mixed approach appealing to both men and women also characterizes the brand’s two flagship collections: Classima and Clifton. As its name implies, Classima – inspired by a 1965 ultra-thin automatic watch with a micro-rotor – comprises elegant and classical watches. Its range of sizes, materials, Swiss made mechanical and quartz movements, features a blend of understated elegance and technical refinement. Housing Swiss mechanical movements in both men’s and women’s timepieces, the Clifton range is intended for urbanites with a taste for Fine Watchmaking. Aesthetically speaking, the collection draws inspiration from a 1950s model, the epitome of traditional and artisanal watchmaking according to Baume & Mercier. In 2017, the new Clifton Club range marks a turning point in the history of Baume & Mercier, by reinterpreting the ultimate sports watch – one that accompanies urban, active and elegant men on every occasion.

Offering luxury watches embodying the full spectrum of Swiss expertise and featuring an excellent quality-price ratio: such is the enduring mission of Baume & Mercier, and a promise duly kept.

Linda Farrow continues to push the boundaries of eyewear and collaborates with N°21 in the creation of a unique line of sunglasses. The timeless yet innovative aesthetic of N°21 blends perfectly with the luxurious craftsmanship of Linda Farrow. Inspired by the volumes and colorways found in the N°21 Spring/Summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection, Linda Farrow has developed a line of three classic feminine shapes revisited in a contemporary way through innovative materials and unexpected details.

“Linda Farrow shares with N°21 an international appeal, product exclusivity and a strong ability to innovate. They work with the most cutting-edge brands and I am honored to be part of their designers’ collaborations.” – Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Creative Director & Founder N°21

“The design process with N°21 was a very natural development, focusing on the same core values as our brand: exclusivity and innovation. Their brand offers a refreshing take on the modern classics of women’s fashion, and we are very excited about this debut collaboration” – Simon Jablon, Managing Director Linda Farrow

N°21 by Linda Farrow eyewear collection, is available exclusively at GRAND OPTICS, in the Middle East.

The Montblanc Augmented Paper Writing is a Gift Edition consists of an elegant leather envelope organizer in indigo blue, and contains a notebook and a StarWalker writing instrument featuring custom-made technology to be exclusively used for this new product. Made of elegant Italian leather with a soft tactile feel and a sophisticated matt effect, the Augmented paper organizer is a sleek and stylish object thanks to the highest level of craftsmanship nurtured at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence, where century-old traditions and skills bring the spirit of innovation to life. The innovative technology of Augmented Paper offers best-in-class handwriting recognition in 12 languages so that notes written by hand can be seamlessly transferred to a mobile device and translated into digital text for searching, editing and sharing.

New fine leather collection inspired by the preciousness of the written word raises funds for UNICEF education programmes

Bound by the common belief that education is a force for good that can end generational cycles of poverty, Montblanc is renewing its long-time partnership with UNICEF by introducing a new limited edition collection of leather goods that celebrates the importance of the written word in the development of every child.

Complementing the Meisterstück, Writing is a Gift Collection of Writing Instruments, each piece purchased from the collection raises the amount that will be donated towards providing more children access to primary education of a better quality. Montblanc, through its partnership with UNICEF, aims to help improve learning for over 5 million children by supporting national education quality standards.

Michael Kors is pleased to announce the launch of ‘#WHATSHEWANTS’, a creative campaign for Mother’s Day 2017 in the UK. Supporting the wider ‘#WHATSHEWANTS’ initiative, the campaign highlights products that make perfect gifts for mothers.

The range of MICHAEL Michael Kors gifts are brought to life using unique three-dimensional paper showpieces, based around a graphic floral theme in pop and pastel colours. Using specially developed techniques the campaign captures the magic of the product in an imaginative and inventive way.

The carefully curated selection of product featured in the ‘#WHATSHEWANTS’ campaign includes two new styles, the Daniela Crossbody and Pouches Camera Bag in Oyster, which are exclusive to the Middle East. Supporting these hero styles is the must-have Mercer Bag in both Acorn and Denim/Admiral colourways, designed to be personalised with the floral guitar straps. All pieces are from the Spring 2017 line and will be available within select Middle East stores.